Stephen Hepple MB ChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Orth)

Curriculum Vitae

Mr Hepple is a NHS Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery and Clinical Director Musculoskeletal Services at North Bristol NHS Trust. He also practices at Weston-Super-Mare Hospital & at The Spire Hospital Bristol He specialises in sports injuries and foot and ankle surgery. He is a Director and Treasurer of The Bristish Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society and has previously served on the Education committee of the society. He is a faculty member of AO trauma.

Affiliations

He is a member of the British Orthopaedic Association, and council member of the British Orthopaedic Foot Surgery Society. He is also a member of the European Foot & Ankle Society and a member of AO trauma.

Medico-legal Experience

His Medico-Legal Reports are prepared to the guidelines introduced by the Law Society and the British Orthopaedic Association and conform to Lord Woolf's reforms. Mr Hepple acts equally without bias for plaintiffs and defendants. Mr Hepple has performed personal injury medical reports since 1998. He sees approximately 200 to 250 clients per year. His work involves approximately 60% claimant, 40% defence and negligible joint reporting. Mr Hepple can prepare a report in approx 4 weeks (urgent by arrangement). His interests include all trauma with a subspecialty interest in foot & ankle trauma. Mr Hepple has attended several conferences organized by the British Orthopaedic Association regarding the preparation of medical reports.

Mr Hepple undertakes clinical negligence work in issues solely related to the foot and ankle. He acts equally for plaintiffs and defendants. He is willing to offer pre-litigation advice/opinion for either party.

Research Interests and Publications

Mr Hepple has research interests in arthritis and deformity of the ankle. He performs the newer operations of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis and ankle replacement on a regular basis. He has published work on cartilage lesions of the ankle (osteochondral lesions) and has extensive experience in arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery for this and other complaints. He has presented work at several national and international meetings and has published in various peer reviewed journals. For a list of publications click Hepple's Publications

Clinical Experience

Mr Hepple has gained broad experience in Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery whilst training initially in Sheffield and more recently in Bristol. Following further experience in Brisbane, Australia & Dallas, USA he developed specialist experience in the management of foot & ankle disorders. Mr Hepple has been awarded The Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training and is therefore privileged to be listed in the General Medical Council Specialist Register. He is a recognised Provider in the Advanced Trauma Life Support scheme.

He undertakes regional specialised services in foot & ankle surgery . He sees and advices players from al of the local sports teams and intermittently provides advice to international cricketers.

He remains an active member of the trauma team at North Bristol NHS trust which is one of the regional major trauma centres dealing with all complex trauma.

Peer Review Audit

Mr Hepple is involved in the systematic critical analysis of his own and his colleagues' standards of medical care at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Bristol as required by the Department of Health.

Teaching

Mr Hepple works in a teaching hospital and is, therefore, responsible for tutoring medical students, physiotherapists and nursing staff. He regularly lectures locally and nationally on courses to all medical and paramedical staff including the regular twice yearly SOC GP and physiotherapy study day.

He teaches nationally as part of the AO trauma faculty and regularly on several foot and ankle courses around the country. He has previously served on the education committee of the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.